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Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Essential Yellowstone to Yosemite
Salt Lake City to Yellowstone and San Francisco to Yosemite by rail
Amtrak Vacations runs this 7-day independent rail vacation from Salt Lake City to San Francisco, using the California Zephyr for the middle leg overnight. The trip opens with a day in Salt Lake City, including time at Liberty Park, the Clark Planetarium and the Hogle Zoo, before an included shuttle carries travelers to West Yellowstone for two nights. A full-day Lower Loop tour of Yellowstone National Park visits Old Faithful Geyser, the historic Old Faithful Inn, and Isa Lake on the Continental Divide. Travelers then return to Salt Lake City by shuttle and board the California Zephyr that evening for an overnight ride to California. After arriving in San Francisco for two nights near Fisherman's Wharf, the trip closes with a day tour to Yosemite National Park, crossing the Bay Bridge at sunrise and driving through the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains. This suits travelers who want two major national parks and two very different cities within a single week.
What to know before you look closer
- The hotel is chosen from 17 listed options split across Salt Lake City and West Yellowstone and across different quality tiers, from the Hampton Inn Salt Lake City-Downtown to the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City and the historic Old Faithful Inn or Lake Lodge Cabins in Yellowstone, so the standard of accommodation depends on what's picked at booking.
- The Yellowstone Lower Loop sightseeing tour runs in summer months only; in winter it is substituted with the Old Faithful Explorer Tour instead.
- No meals are listed as included in the package; the named inclusions are rail travel, the Yellowstone transfer, and hotel nights.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Salt Lake City
Your Journey Begins in Salt Lake City
Welcome to Salt Lake City and the start of your journey! Upon arrival, check in at your hotel discover the city. Discover bustling Liberty Park downtown, visit the Clark Planetarium or Hogle Zoo, and take in some great shopping and dining at the City Creek Center.
- Day 2overnight: West Yellowstone
Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park
Early this morning, hop on your included shuttle service that will take you to West Yellowstone for the night. Yellowstone is widely held to be the first national park in the world and is home to the most impressive geothermal features in North America. The sights here are simply stunning and will not disappoint. After you arrive in the early evening, settle into your hotel for a good night's sleep. You have a full day of sightseeing ahead of you tomorrow!!
- Day 3overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Yellowstone's lower loop. Highlights of this tour include Old Faithful Geyser, the Old Faithful Inn, Isa Lake on the Continental Divide, and many more stunning landmarks. After your tour, you will have time to grab lunch on your own at the Old Faithful Village.
- Day 4railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, take a leisurely drive back to Salt Lake City aboard the included transfer. Then, the evening is yours to spend enjoying this gorgeous city before traveling on your own to the Amtrak Station and boarding the train west to California.
- Day 5overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Upon your arrival at Emeryville Station, you will board your included transfer to San Francisco. After you check into your hotel, the evening is yours to start exploring the "City by the Bay." Take a stroll along Fisherman's Wharf, breathe in the fresh ocean air, and sample the delicious local cuisine, like fresh seafood and crusty sourdough bread.
- Day 6overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
Spend the day exploring one of America's most iconic landmarks, Yosemite National Park. Your day will start off with breathtaking panoramic views of San Francisco as you cross over the Bay Bridge at sunrise. The rest of your drive to Yosemite will offer stunning scenery as well, including the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains and lush Central Valley. Once you arrive in Yosemite National Park, you'll have 2.5 hours to hike, shop, and sample the local cuisine in Yosemite Village. You will arrive back at your hotel just in time for a spectacular San Francisco sunset.
- Day 7
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2An included shuttle carries travelers from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone, home to the most impressive geothermal features in North America.
- Day 3A full-day Lower Loop tour of Yellowstone visits Old Faithful Geyser, the Old Faithful Inn, and Isa Lake on the Continental Divide.
- Day 4After a free evening back in Salt Lake City, travelers board the California Zephyr for an overnight ride toward California.
- Day 6A day tour to Yosemite National Park crosses the Bay Bridge at sunrise and drives through the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Salt Lake City to San Francisco on the California Zephyr®
- Roundtrip transfer from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone
- 5 nights' hotel accommodations
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes, one-way Amtrak Coach travel from Salt Lake City to San Francisco on the California Zephyr is included, along with a roundtrip transfer (not by train) between Salt Lake City and West Yellowstone.
- Is it escorted or independent?
- It is sold as an independent rail vacation. The Yellowstone Lower Loop and Yosemite day are guided tours, but city time in Salt Lake City and San Francisco is on your own.
- What hotels are included?
- The hotel is chosen from 17 options across Salt Lake City and West Yellowstone, including the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City, the Peery Salt Lake City Downtown, the Old Faithful Inn, and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins.
- When does the Yellowstone tour run?
- The Lower Loop sightseeing tour runs in summer months only; in winter it is replaced with the Old Faithful Explorer Tour.
- Are meals included?
- No meals are listed as included in this package.
